How to make
Dynamark labels
How do you make professional standard labels
for your equipment? The answer is 3M
Dynamark. Just about all the labels on the
projects P,ublished in SILICON CHIP have
Dynamark labels and in this article we tell you
how to make them.
By LEO SIMPSON
Most of the Dynamark labels used on our prototype projects are
black on aluminium sheet (0.12mm
thick) or black on clear transparency. We generally use aluminium
labels on metal boxes and the
larger plastic instrument cases and
the clear labels on the grey plastic
zippy boxes. If we use a black
plastic case, the clear labels are inappropriate so again, we use a
black aluminium label.
So if you have been reading the
project articles in SILICON CHIP for
some time, you will already know
what Dynamark labels look like. If
the labels are made from aluminium they will generally have silver
lettering on a black background
[that's the way we usually make
them) or black letters on a silver
background.
And while we have not featured
them in the magazine, Dynamark
aluminium labels can also be obtained in red, blue or gold. Also
available are Dynamark plastic
labels in red/transparent, green/
transparent, black/transparent,
blue/transparent, red/white,
green/white, black/white, blue/
white, black/silver and black/
gold.
The process
To make Dynamark labels, you
need an actual size artwork
(negative) transparency, a source
of ultraviolet light [such as a light
box with UV fluorescent tubes), a
sheet of Dynamark light sensitive
material and a bottle of developing
fluid.
To make the label, all you need do
is to expose the Dynamark sheet to
ultraviolet light via the transparent
artwork. This is usually done in a
UV lightbox. The exposure time
depends on the light source, the
particular Dynamark material and
the transparency of the artwork but
is generally a few minutes.
After exposure, the label material is developed with Dynamark
8500 developer to reproduce the
artwork [in reverse).
Sunlight
In a pinch, you don't even need a
UV light source to make Dynamark
panels. If it's a bright sunny day,
your UV light source comes free,
with sunlight. You will need two
pieces of plate glass though, to
sandwich the transparent artwork
and Dynamark sheet.
Exposure can be a little trial and
error, although we find that 10 to
12 minutes in bright sunlight is
enough to expose aluminium labels
(Dyn.amark 8003). Normally, though
we use a conventional lightbox with
UV tubes.
Developing
These are the main materials for making Dynamark labels: Letrachrome lintfree cotton pads, light sensitive sheets, a bottle of developing fluid and a
plastic squeegee.
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SILICON CHIP
Developing the exposed label is a
simple matter. Just lay it on a flat
surface and pour a small quantity
of Dynamark 8500 developer onto
it. Spread it evenly over the surface
and then after 10 seconds wipe off
A light box with UV fluorescent tubes
is used to expose the light sensitive
sheet via the transparent artwork.
This unit from Kalex comes fitted
with a 3-range 0-12 minute timer.
the exposed emulsion with a lint
free cotton pad.
By the way, Dynamark 8500
developer should be used in a well
ventilated area as it can cause irritation to your nose and eyes. It is
also flammable and so should not be
used near sparks (welding or electric discharge) or while smoking.
Protecting the label
To preserve the finished label
against scuffs and scratches, we
spray it before applying it to the
panel with Dynamark clear lacquer
which dries in 10 minutes. It is
available in matte (3930) or gloss
finish (3900). You can also use
Estapol Matte or Glossclear lacquer but it takes quite a long time to
dry and it tends to pick up dirt
while that is happening.
For applications where the label
is likely to be subject to a lot of dirt
and wear, Dynama rk have clear
laminating film (8019) which is 'applied to the label before it is affixed
to the panel.
Cutting to size
For cutting and trimming plastic
labels to size, you can use scissors,
an X-Acto knife, sharp Stanley
knife or a paper guillotine. Aluminium labels can be cut with
heavy duty scissors, tin snips or a
paper guillotine. Cut the edges in
one straight action - jagged edges
are almost impossible to fix.
Fixing the label
The label comes with its own
pressure sensitive adhesive backing - just tear off the protective
paper backing and apply to the
panel. This must be done very
carefully though, making sure that
the label lines up exactly with the
panel - once the adhesive grabs,
that's it. If you try to pull it off to
straighten it up, it will inevitably
wrinkle the panel and you'll have to
make a new one.
Dynamark have a soft squeegee
which helps you apply the label
evenly and without trapped air
bubbles.
Reversing the artwork
Dynamark is a photogra phic
reversal process so that the
reproduced label is a negative of
the artwork. Since we normally
have silver lettering on black with
our aluminium panels, we use
negative artwork to begin with.
However, if you want to reverse
that, Dynamark 8007 reversal film
is the answer. It is exposed with UV
light and developed with 8500
developer as with the label.
When using an 8007 reversal
transparency to expose a Dynamark label, you must follow the instructions regarding the emulsion
side - it is placed next to the label,
so that the shiny, non-emulsion side
faces the UV light.
Step
1
Step
2
Step
3
Other instructions
Any other instructions? Yes
there are a couple - cleanliness
and care, at each stage. At all
times, make sure that everything is
clean. Both the artwork transparency and material to be exposed
must be clean of dust and grease.
So should the glass of the lightbox.
If you do each step carefully,
without charging into it, you can get
a very good result - a professional
looking panel. You need to be very
careful when trimming the finished
label to size and then when applying it to the panel. After a little
practice though, it is a straightforward process which gives consistently good results.
Acknowledgment
Our thanks to Ken Laird of Kalex
for his assistance in the prepa ration of this article. As well as being
a supplier of all the Dynamark
range of materials, Kalex can supply Riston printed circuit boa rd
Step
4
Step 1: position positive or negative
image of artwork (either transparent
or translucent) over the Dynamark
sheet. Step 2: expose to ultraviolet
light. Step 3: apply developer. After
10 seconds, wipe off exposed
emulsion with cotton pad. Step 4: trim
and add protective coat. Peel
adhesive liner, position, and press in
place.
materials plus a large light box and
PCB etching tank. Kalex are at 40
Wallis Avenue, East Ivanhoe, Vic
3079. Phone (03) 497 3422.
SEPTEMBER1990
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